Latest news with #Ramaphosa
Straits Times
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
South African president expects DA to propose replacement for axed deputy minister
FILE PHOTO: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa attends a press conference, after his White House meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo JOHANNESBURG - South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Friday he expected his party's main coalition partner, the Democratic Alliance (DA), to propose a replacement for the DA deputy trade minister he fired earlier this week. Ramaphosa's decision to sack Andrew Whitfield over an unauthorised trip to the United States drew an angry response from the DA on Thursday, the latest public spat between the two biggest parties in the multi-party government. The president said in a statement that Whitfield had violated established practice for members of the national executive. "Prior to the removal of Mr Whitfield, I informed Minister John Steenhuisen as the leader of the Democratic Alliance... and (told Steenhuisen) that I expect him to present to me for approval a replacement," Ramaphosa said. The DA has called a press conference for Saturday to say what it will do next. Political and financial analysts expect the Government of National Unity coalition to hold, despite the often-fractious relationship between Ramaphosa's African National Congress (ANC) and the DA. The former liberation movement and the pro-business DA are far apart ideologically and have clashed over this year's budget and policies to address racial inequality. But the ANC needs the support of at least one other big party to pass legislation, and the DA wants to show voters it can make a difference in the cabinet portfolios it secured by teaming up with the ANC. Steenhuisen gave a speech in parliament on Thursday calling on Ramaphosa to fire corruption-implicated ANC officials in his cabinet instead of removing Whitfield, threatening unspecified consequences if Ramaphosa did not do so. Ramaphosa said on Friday he would not yield to threats. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Mint
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Mint
South Africa Presses US on G-20 Absence as Leaders Summit Looms
South Africa will ask the US government to confirm its future participation in Group of 20 engagements, after American officials failed to attend a preparatory meeting this week. The US didn't send a representative to a four-day meeting of lead negotiators — known as sherpas — that concluded on Friday in South Africa, the current president of the bloc. Its absence suggested relations between the two countries remain fraught, after President Cyril Ramaphosa sought to mend ties in a meeting with US counterpart Donald Trump at the Oval Office last month. South African officials plan to contact the US government next week to discuss the issue, Ambassador Xolisa Mabhongo, who is supporting South Africa's sherpa, said in an interview on Friday. Representatives from Brazil, which held the G20 presidency last year, will join the call, he said. 'We will do a call with them and that will be when we will be able to assess whether the US will be rejoining the process or whether they will stay out,' he said. The White House didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. South Africa, Brazil and the US — which is scheduled to take over the bloc's presidency in 2026 - make up a so-called G20 troika that has met three times since the start of this year, with full participation by the US, Mabhongo said. 'There was an undertaking by the US sherpa that they would be participating in the process,' he said. 'A month later, there was that article in the Washington Post that said that US agencies were given instruction to stay away. So since then, they never showed up in other meetings.' Part of the reason for Ramaphosa's trip to the White House last month was to encourage the US to recommit to the G20. His meeting with Trump took an unexpected turn when the US president confronted Ramaphosa with false claims of a genocide against White farmers. There have been no official land seizures in South Africa since apartheid ended in 1994, while police statistics show young Black men bear the brunt of violent crime. The US has consistently pushed back against the host nation's core themes of solidarity and equality, while Trump has remained noncommittal on whether he will attend a leaders' summit scheduled for November. With assistance from Kate Sullivan. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
News24
19 hours ago
- Politics
- News24
Ramaphosa slams Steenhuisen; Kriel to captain Boks: Today's top 7 stories in 7 minutes
News24 brings you the top 7 stories of the day. Graphic: Sharlene Rood News24 brings you the top stories of the day, summarised into neat little packages. Read through quickly or listen to the articles via our customised text-to-speech feature. 'Blatant disregard': Ramaphosa clarifies Whitfield axing, slams Steenhuisen for 'intemperate reaction' - President Ramaphosa fired Deputy Minister Whitfield for violating rules regarding international travel without permission. - Ramaphosa expressed disappointment at DA leader Steenhuisen's 'intemperate reaction' and ultimatums following the dismissal. - Ramaphosa wants the DA to provide a replacement for Whitfield and clarified that the firing was solely due to the travel violation, not other political factors. 'CRIMINAL' INTELLIGENCE: Top cop spooks, barring one, granted bail - Six senior Crime Intelligence officers were granted bail of R10 000 each by the Pretoria Magistrate's Court. - Crime Intelligence CFO Philani Lushaba was remanded in custody due to a previous arrest. - All seven officers intend to plead not guilty to charges of fraud and corruption related to the appointment of Brigadier Dineo Mokwele. Supplied 'From happiness to despair': Top 100 matrics awarded bursaries left high and dry - About 100 Gauteng students were promised 'fully paid bursaries' by Schools Star in January but were informed in June that funding would not be provided due to budget cuts. - The Gauteng government stated that its bursary policy doesn't include provisions to fund Schools Star beneficiaries, and it is facing fiscal challenges, having only funded 3 600 students out of thousands of applicants this year. - Affected students and their families are now struggling with tuition and accommodation costs, with some facing potential dropout from their higher education institutions. Supplied/SAPS Kidnapped Kamogelo Baukudi found alive in dramatic rescue operation in Wepener - Kamogelo Baukudi, a 19-year-old kidnapped pupil, was found alive and unharmed in Wepener. - Five men aged 20 to 29 were arrested in the operation, bringing the total arrests to six. - The suspects face charges of kidnapping and extortion and will appear in court. Michael Jordaan's Bank Zero sold in R1.1bn deal - Lesaka Technologies will acquire Bank Zero for R1.1 billion in a deal involving newly issued shares and cash, giving Bank Zero shareholders a 12% stake in Lesaka. - The acquisition provides Lesaka with a banking license and digital infrastructure, enabling it to offer a full suite of banking services and fund its lending book with customer deposits. - The deal is subject to regulatory approvals and will see Michael Jordaan joining Lesaka's board, while Yatin Narsai will continue as Bank Zero's CEO. Kriel to captain Springboks against Barbarians as Kolisi withdraws - Jesse Kriel will captain the Springboks against the Barbarians in Cape Town after Siya Kolisi withdrew due to a 'niggle'. - Marco van Staden replaces Kolisi in the starting XV, while Marnus van der Merwe is a new addition to the Bok team. - The match will take place at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday at 17:10, with both teams' lineups announced.'Helping the next generation': Anna Wintour leaves US Vogue, but her reign isn't on ice just yet - Anna Wintour is stepping down as editor-in-chief of US Vogue after 37 years but will remain chief content officer for Condé Nast and global editorial director for Vogue. - Wintour aims to focus on supporting the next generation of editors and overseeing global content for Condé Nast's major media brands. - During her tenure, Wintour redefined Vogue, introducing denim jeans on the cover and featuring celebrities, marking a shift from traditional high-fashion magazine aesthetics.
The Herald
20 hours ago
- Politics
- The Herald
I will not yield to threats, Ramaphosa tells Steenhuisen
'Let it be clear that the president shall not yield to threats and ultimatums, especially coming from members of the executive that he has the prerogative to appoint in accordance with the constitution.' He said Whitfield was removed because he undertook an international visit without his permission. Whitfield's travel to the US was a clear violation of the rules and established practices governing the conduct of members of the executive, he said, adding that this requirement is known to all ministers and deputy ministers. Ramaphosa said this practice is rigorously observed and adhered to by all members of the executive. However, Whitfield had deliberately chosen to violate this rule and practice. Ramaphosa confirmed that he had informed Steenhuisen of his decision and requested he provide him with a name of a replacement. 'In that discussion, Mr Steenhuisen informed me that Mr Whitfield had been expecting that he may be dismissed on the grounds that he had undertaken an international trip without the president's permission. This expectation, along with a perfunctory letter of apology that Mr Whitfield wrote to me following his travel to the US without the required permission, indicated he was aware that his actions had violated the rules and established practices governing the conduct of members of the executive,' Ramaphosa said.
Daily Maverick
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Inside the political turmoil: What Whitfield's dismissal reveals about ANC dynamics
President Cyril Ramaphosa's public statement that he fired DA Deputy Department of Trade Industry and Competition minister Andrew Whitfield because he had travelled outside the country still leaves many questions unanswereed. The apparent mystery around this decision is what gives it so much power. And the DA is now in a difficult position where it cannot accept this, but cannot easily withdraw from the coalition either. There are many reasons why Whitfield's sacking is so politically potent. Among the most important is that Ramaphosa's explanation, that he 'was removed as a deputy minister because he undertook an international visit without the permission of the president' does not make sense. For a start, that trip was several months ago. What happened between then and now that took the president so long to act? If it is such a clear sacking offense, then why not act immediately? And if there was some reason for a delay, what was it about yesterday's specific date that then allowed him to act? The president says in his statement that: 'It is not common practice for the President of the Republic of South Africa to provide reasons either for the appointment or the dismissal of Members of the Executive.' Legally, there is no obligation for a president to give reasons for hirings and firings. But that does not make it democratic. Or morally correct. Or even politically wise. The president is not a god, or an absolute ruler or a king. He is accountable to the people. For him to follow the precedents of previous presidents who have also not given reasons, particularly Jacob Zuma and Thabo Mbeki, may not be wise. Both were recalled by the ANC. And while their stories are very different, both had fired someone under strange circumstances that they refused to explain, until the real reasons became obvious later. It is true, as Ramaphosa points to, that Mbeki fired Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge as deputy health minister in 2007, ostensibly because she travelled without permission. It is also true that it followed her being in a dispute with the health minister at the time, Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, about the causes of HIV/Aids. 'I'll fix you' Tshabalala-Msimang's comment to Madlala-Routledge, that 'I'll fix you' was surely a bigger factor than her recent travel. In the case of Zuma, he fired Nhlanhla Nene as finance minister one night in 2015, and refused to explain why. You may well remember how that ended. The other, fairly obvious point, is that nothing stopped the Presidency from announcing the reason for Whitfield's sacking yesterday. What changed between the public statement confirming he had been removed and Friday? Why could he make public the reason on Friday, but not on Thursday? Then of course there is Whitfield's public claim that he did ask the Presidency for permission to go on this trip, and was ignored. While that may be through a simple mistake, Whitfield says he followed up every day for nine days. While Ramaphosa may feel he does not have to respond to every request from a deputy minister, it certainly gives the appearance of being incredibly rude to not reply. It may well be politically unwise for the president to stick to this claim, when it appears irrational. It gives the appearance that there is another uncomfortable political fact that he is trying to hide. It must surely be that Ramaphosa fired Whitfield for some reason of which he is ashamed. Or something he'd prefer to keep hidden. This is why this issue is unlikely to disappear quickly. For the moment, the most likely real reason is that there is a faction in the ANC demanding Ramaphosa act against the DA. Or its members. But even that is problematic. Because the message that this may send to many voters is that Ramaphosa is prepared to act against a DA member for internal ANC reasons, but not against ANC ministers who have done much worse things than Whitfield. It does not appear to make sense to act against Whitfield while allowing Nobuhle Nkabinde to remain as higher education minister when it is clear she lied about her 'independent panel' to advise her appointing chairpersons to the Sector Education and Training Authorities. And, as DA leader John Steenhuisen was quick to point out, why fire Whitfield when Ramaphosa has kept David Mahlobo as deputy minister at Water Affairs when there is clear evidence he walked out of the State Security Agency with huge amounts of cash during the State Capture era? Internal ANC politics If this is about internal ANC politics it may also be another demonstration that ANC leaders are more focused on internal factions than on winning votes. This must be one of the big lessons from this. That the ANC is still not focused on winning back the support it has lost. This may well be because many of its decision-makers are much more comfortable dealing with internal dynamics. They are doing what they know, what they have always done — rather than focusing on the hard work of actually governing well enough to win votes. Meanwhile, the DA's leadership has some difficult decisions to make. Steenhuisen's threat that Ramaphosa has '48 hours' to act against ANC ministers may well demonstrate the difficulty of his position. As former strategist Ryan Coetzee and others have pointed out, the DA simply cannot accept having its members fired without any consultation. Even though the president has confirmed the DA will get to replace Whitfield with another of its members, this effectively gives the ANC a vet on DA appointments. This they surely cannot accept. The Freedom Front Plus or the Patriotic Alliance would not accept it either. The problem for Steenhuisen, of course, is what to do now. To leave the coalition is fraught with danger. That said, his constituency might well reward him for it. Some in the ANC might celebrate the DA's departure at first, but might then find that governance becomes virtually impossible. But any decisions made by the ANC or the DA might well be based on longer-term calculations, about whether voters will punish or reward them for pulling out of the coalition. And thus this may not be the last strange and deliberately unexplained event. DM
